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2011 Corvette Z06 Scores ‘Best’ Rating by Consumer Reports Magazine

by Keith Cornett on March 21, 2011

Consumer Reports’ April 2011 edition ranks the Best and Worst of 2011 and the 2011 Corvette Z06 has earned a “best” rating with a score of 92. A car’s overall road-test score is the result of more than 50 individual tests and evaluations from Consumer Reports subscribers. For years we’ve derided Consumer Reports for its negative reviews on Corvette and what looks to be a bias against American-made cars in general. But it looks like the data is in and they can no longer dispute the fact that GM makes a very reliable car and that Corvette owners love them and would buy a Corvette again.

Although it was the 2011 Corvette Z06 that earned the “Best” rating, the other models in the 2011 Corvette lineup were mentioned in the Rating’s Snapshot which appears on MSN Autos. Here is what the mag has to say about the 2011 Corvettes:

The Corvette offers impressive performance from its V8, with a relatively comfortable ride and very capable handling. The automatic transmission has paddle shifters, and the manual versions have a launch-control feature for smooth takeoffs. The interior is roomy for a sports car, though some found seat support lacking. The Z06 is a bargain high-performance sports car, with a potent 505-hp V8 engine. It is available only as a coupe with a six-speed manual transmission. The supercharged, 638-hp ZR1 is available in limited numbers and delivers super car performance. Reliability has improved to average for the base Corvette, while the Z06 is above average.

Corvette’s Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter cited the Magazine’s new stance on the Corvette over the weekend at the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring. Juechter said

“Corvette is now a recommended buy and if you look under the individual ratings, they just can’t deny us any more in terms of the quality improvements that have been made on the car.” He added, “Based on the surveys they do get, we are now in the highest class, not just acceptable, but in the highest class, the highest possible score for predictive reliability. And when you combine that with performance of the car and then the surveys they do on owner satisfaction, which we know everyone loves the cars, so owner satisfaction we always get top scores, but now they have to rate the Corvette and the Corvette Z06 as a recommended buy”.

It’s good to see the magazine has finally come around, although I find their decision making still somewhat questionable as the ConsumerReports.org Recommended Alternative to the Corvette is the 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata. I can almost guarantee that most Corvette owners would disagree with that assumption.

Charles D. Fowler, III: I stopped subsribing to both after many years, and within a year or two of even having a “feature” article accepted and published, after meeting Corvette Fever execs at Carlisle. With the merger, I...

Jeff McKay: I also asked a local dealer and they knew nothing about it. How do I order it myself? I think that would be faster than trying to convince them they should know about it.

CrystalKnight: I have always loved the 63, one of my favorite classics of all time, and I have had a many sports cars…, owned and loved the C5 even though it was heavy and underpowered, owned and loved the C6 convertible. ….I...

CrystalKnight: I have always loved the 63, one of my favorite classics of all time, and I have had a many sports cars…, owned and loved the C5 even though it was heavy and underpowered, owned and loved the C6 convertible. ….I...

tonyman262: I have an 89 C4 & an 07 C6, both white. After seeing the CUE system; the daughter may get the 07, I NEED a C7 with the CUE system. The 89 C4 stays with me. The C7 (artic white of course) could just end up being the new...